Margaret Cullison
Since retiring from work in California public schools, Margaret Cullison has written personal essays and articles about cooking, animals, and water gardens. She currently reviews self-published books and has begun a novel based on her fraternal grandfather's experiences during the Civil War.
After nine years living in southern Oregon, Margaret recently returned to northern California to be closer to family. She can be reached at margaretcullison at yahoo.com.
(Editor's Note: Margi is sporting her SeniorWomenWeb cap)
My Mother’s Cookbook Frosted Cakes: Seven-Minute Frosting, 1234 Cake, Pound Cake Torte and Carrot Cake
Margaret Cullison writes: I suffered from cake envy after attending a friend’s birthday party when I was six or seven years old. She had an April birthday, and her cake that year looked like a lamb with white frosting and coconut curled fur. The cake completely enchanted me. I knew my friend’s mother hadn’t made the cake herself. We always had homemade birthday cakes at home, but that didn’t impress me nearly as much as the magic of Sandy’s lamb cake. more »
Summer Cookies: Aunt Rickie's Icebox, Mom''s Iced Orange Drop, Aunt Myrtle's Ginger and Jean's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip
Cookie lovers probably would agree that nothing makes lazy summer afternoons more pleasant than relaxing on the porch or shaded patio with a plate of cookies and sweet mint ice tea. Children come home from swimming or playing ball with ravenous appetites, and they like a cold glass of milk with their cookies. Such afternoon cookie breaks are the essence of easy summertime living. more »
First Flight: The Tradition of Airplanes Communicating With the Earthbound Goes On
Margaret Cullison writes: Flush from the post-war economic boom, Dad bought his first airplane, a 1946 cream and red Taylorcraft BC-12D. I recall the anticipation stirring in the pit of my stomach as we waited for someone to prime the propeller and yell out above the noise of the wind and the engine, "all clear", as he waved us out onto the runway. I recall the instant the wheels left the ground, that first gentle lift into the air, and a magic I didn't understand moved us skyward. more »
My Mother’s Cookbook, Strawberries: Shortcake, Two Pies, and a Dutch Baby with Fresh Strawberries
Early settlers wrote about berry pies in their diaries, journals, and other accounts of pioneer American life, but no recipes have been found. My husband, Rich, always notices when I've added fresh strawberries to our grocery cart. He smiles and says, "Oh good … Dutch Babies." When first out of the oven, a Dutch Baby looks impressive, making even a novice home cook feel accomplished. more »